184 — 
WAIFS AND STRAYS. 
I have a few Cornish trifles which may fill up a corner in our Journal, 
and thus be embalmed. - 
I have before me, in most excellent caligraphy of the probable age of 
Charles II., 
‘‘ A MEDECINE AGAINST THE PLAGUE 
Take three pints of good Muscadine, and boile therein one handfull 
of Sage, one handful of Rue, till a pint be wasted: then straine it, and 
set it over the fire againe, and put thereto halfe an ounce of longe 
Pepper, as much Ginger, a quarter of an ounce of Nutmegge all beaten - 
together, then let them bvile a little, then put thereto half an ounce of 
Methridate, one ounce of Treakle, and a quarter of a pinte of good 
Aqua vita, or rather Angelica water.” 
The prescriber of this stiff stomachic quaintly adds :— 
‘Keep this as your Life above all worldly Treasures, and take it 
allwaies warm both Morneinge and HKveninge, a spooneful or two if 
already diseased and sweate there pon, but if not diseased, once a day 
a spoonefull is sufficient: in all the plague (under God), trust to this; it 
never failed Man, Woman, or Child if the Hart were not first cleane 
drowned in the disease. It is good against the Plague, Small Pox, 
Measells, Surfitts, and divers other the like diseases. Shake the bottle 
before you poure it out.” 
By the same hand, and equally neatly written, is the following :— 
‘¢ Mortall wee are and subiect to diseases, 
Wee all must dye even when and howe God pleases! 
Into the world but one waye we doe come, 
A thousand waies from hence wee are sent home. 
Now that thou maist be kept from dangers all, 
And that noe sickness or disease may fall 
Vpon thy body, that heere thou maist have health, 
And with it alsoe happinis and wealth ; 
That all the blessings that the earth can give 
May be afforded thee whilst heere thou live 
On earth, and when the tyme shall come 
That thou must hence depart vuto thy home, 
And leave this wretched world, and death shall saye 
Soule take thy leave, thou must noe longer staye, 
Heavens graunt that Angells thee may waite upon, 
